PRESENT: Councilor Parker, Councilor Perkins, Councilor King, Councilor Friedman, Manager W. Reed, Deputy Clerk K. Humphrey, Office Administrator J. Reed, Fire Chief G. Martin, Police Chief M. Leonard, Parks & Recreation Director R. Young, Public Works Director B. Stoyell, Members of the Public. Chairman Hathaway was absent and excused.
Councilor Perkins nominated Councilor Friedman as Chair Pro Tem. Seconded: Councilor King, Voted 3-0 in favor. Councilor Friedman abstained.
ITEM 1. The June 6, 2011 Veazie Town Council meeting was called to order at 7:00PM.
ITEM 2. Consideration of the Minutes
Motion By: Councilor Parker—to accept the May 23, 2011 meeting minutes as written. Seconded: Councilor Perkins, Voted 2-0 in favor. Chairman Pro Tem Friedman and Councilor King abstained.
ITEM 3. Consideration of the Agenda
Member of the public Mike Boynton would like to discuss code issues. This was added as item 5c. Councilor King would like to discuss a jake brake ordinance. This was added as item 7a.
ITEM 4. Comments from the Public
Member of the public Travis Noyes inquired if item 5b was to discuss what happened with the RSU. Manager Reed stated it was.
ITEM 5a. DECD Grant Notice
Mike Bush of Penquis CAP was present to discuss the community block grant the Town received. The next phase will be documentation. Mr. Bush went over the six steps required. An advisory committee will need to be created to review and make comment on guidelines which will then be brought back to the Council for approval.
ITEM 5b. RSU Reserve Use Discussion
Manager Reed outlined that Rep. Jim Parker had set up a meeting with Jim Rier, Deputy Commissioner of Education. Mr. Rier understood the Town’s concerns and had a hard time understanding the per pupil cost factor and the inclusion of debt service in the RSU’s formula. Manager Reed stated that Mr. Rier offered to help assist the Town in finding a resolution with the RSU.
Manager Reed outlined that staff’s recommendation would be for the Town to use the 2013-2014 reserve funds at a minimum and possibly some of the 2012-2013 reserve funds to help offset the increase in Veazie’s assessment. Staff also would recommend establishing a new reserve account which could be used to offset large changes in the RSU assessment.
Councilor Perkins wondered what incentive the RSU would have to sit down with Veazie and resolve this issue to the Town’s satisfaction. Manager Reed stated that it is a tough situation to sit down at a table with two other communities and your three members only equals one vote. He outlined that Orono, who has the most votes on the board, would be the community most affected by a revision to the formula.
Councilor Perkins inquired whether a change in the formula would be retroactive. Manager Reed stated it would not. It was pointed out that Veazie’s school unit budget stayed flat this year while the other two communities’ went up.
Member of the public Todd Lynch inquired on how much of the mill rate would be dedicated to the school. Manager Reed stated about 13 mills out of 19.6.
It was the consensus of the Council to wait until they had a full board present before making any decisions. Member of the public Tammy Olson inquired on when the deadline was for when they needed to decide. Manager Reed stated by the tax commitment, end of July, beginning of August.
ITEM 5c. Code Discussion
Member of the public Mike Boynton was present to complain about a home on Thompson Road that has junk cars, boats, etc. in the yard. He is frustrated that keeps being told that there is no code to address this. There was also discussion on two other properties, one on Main Street and the other on Hobson Avenue. Deputy Code Enforcement Officer Brian Stoyell will look into the three issues and report back at the June 20th meeting.
ITEM 6a. Public Works Spring Cleanup Discussion
Public Works Director Brian Stoyell outlined that the spring cleanup was a huge success and he received a lot of positive feedback. There were 106 vehicle loads the first day. They filled five dumpsters with demo and one dumpster with metal. One Steel paid the Town $427 for the metal and the cost of disposing the demo dumpsters will be around $5,000 and $6,000. Director Stoyell outlined that he thought there was so much stuff because the Town hasn’t had a spring cleanup in a few years. He felt that if the Town kept it annual the amounts would be less.
ITEM 6b. Bangor Gas Update
Manager Reed outlined that the Town will be doing a mailing to the village area and Davis subdivision area as soon as Bangor Gas provides the information. A list of interested parties was included in the Councilor’s packets.
ITEM 7a Jake Brake Ordinance
Councilor King recommended developing an ordinance for jake brakes on Route 2. It was the consensus to have staff research it and have it enforced by the Police Department.
Chairman Pro Tem Friedman inquired about the replacement of curbing and who was paying for what. Manager Reed outlined the project to the Council.
Chairman Pro Tem Friedman also inquired whether all the damaged mailboxes had been replaced. Manager Reed stated they had.
ITEM 8. Manager’s Report
The Town Council reviewed the following items:
a. a copy of the Town’s financials
b. a Municipal Review Committee report
c. reports submitted by Lou Silver Inc. on highway maintenance projects
d. a copy of a Bangor Daily News article on a Veazie drug bust
e. a copy of an email asking the Town to look into larger recycling carts
ITEM 9. Requests for Information and Town Council Comments
There were no requests for information or Town Council comments.
ITEM 10. Warrants: Town Warrant 25, 25A and Town Payroll 25 were circulated for signature.
ITEM 11. Adjournment: Motion: Councilor King—to adjourn the June 6, 2011 Town Council Meeting. Seconded: Councilor Perkins. There was no further discussion. Voted 4-0. Meeting adjourned 8:10 pm.
A true record, Attest:
Karen Humphrey
Deputy Clerk
Town of Veazie
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